BlackBerry ID takes over backup/restore functions for BBM

BBM has long been plagued with issues when swapping devices or installing a new OS. For years BlackBerry users have stuggled with keeping their contact list intact and not having to start from scratch after an update. In recent versions, the backup/restore feature has kept us sane (for the most part) giving the option to backup your contact list to an email address or SD card. The wasn't foolproof either unfortunately as many still have issues getting their full contact list back for any number of reasons. Thankfully with BBM version 7 (and going forward) you no longer have to worry as your BBM contact list and settings info is now all tied into your BlackBerry ID.

In BBM 7, your BBID grabs your contacts and settings list and holds onto them. No longer do you have to backup or restore you contacts manully either from your SD card or by email. All the info is stored in with your BBID, so as soon as you login on your BlackBerry, your BBM contacts are populated and you're good to go.

While it may have appeared that this was already the case, it certainly wasn't. If you had backed up your contacts to an email address tied to your BlackBerry, most times your contact list would restore on it's own after a device swap or OS update. Other times, not so much. I can't count how many times I've had to manually add back my contacts one by one after a botched BBM restore.

Hopefully this functionality will run down to other core and third-party apps for BlackBerry 10 as well. One of the longest running gripes of BlackBerry users is having to start fresh from most apps after an OS update. As we've seen on the PlayBook however, that should all be gone when we move to BlackBerry 10 -- so plenty of good things to come!

I am always afraid when iget a new device/restore that it will re-add people i have deleted since the last time i did a contacts backup. Looks like this will solve that concern as it brings in the most recent contact list for that bbid.

So really you could pick up anyones phone, sign them out and sign into your bbid and your contacts will be on their phone??

My 9900 was in the washer for 55 minutes and was announced dead two days ago. I still have hope so I buried it in a sack of rice. Will see what happen tomorrow (after three days). In the mean time I fall back to my 8900. I used my BlackBerryID to upgrade BlackBerry Protect and restore my contacts without any problem.
It's hard to use the trackball after using the trackpad for so long. Occasionally, I touched the screen but nothing happened. LOL.

I like that the apps start from scratch tho. I collect a load of apps over time and its nice to have a clean start now and again.
Certainly never noticed how much whatsapp drained my battery until i did a fresh wipe.

An OS upgrade shouldn't touch apps or user data. I have always found that very frustrating about Blackberry and it keeps me from upgrading my OS - it's just too much of a hassle. The only time I have upgraded my OS in the past two years was when my device bricked and I was forced to start from scratch anyway. I hope this is not the case with BB10.

So if you exceed the number of pin changes and your contacts are backup via bbm will there still be a penalty for the pin changes. Because i am about to switch to anoda BB but im scared that it would say my account has exceeded pin changes again! so if i change and that happen i wouldn't be able to get my contacts?

I downloaded my bbm to bbm 7 and my contacts has been deleted. BB ID tried to restore my contacts, but i declined this options by accident!!! So, the old way to restore the contacts is gone. I have a backup on my desktop using Blackberry desk top client.

Please how often are the contacts backed up?? I just got a Q5 and the stupid thing is telling me my email (the one for BB I'd) is not even associated with any BBM account. This is sooooo annoying!! And the Goddamn BB Link won't download simply because I "live in Nigeria". Lame crap!

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